Monday, September 20, 2010 (and Tuesday, sorry I didn't have this up yesterday)


File this work in the Journal section of your notebook.

Read the articles: Not In My Backyard and Who Gets To Be An American

Research the 14th Amendment - what is it? Who Gets To Be An American
  • What was going on in the United States when this Amendment was passed?
  • How is it similar today's problems?
  • Can we learn something from the past and use it to solve today's problems? Explain.


Not In My Backyard
There are nearly 1.6 Muslims worldwide, about 23% of the global population. More than 60% of Muslims live in Asia, 20% in countries with Arab majorities.


Review the idea of "freedom of religion" as outlined in the first amendment
  • Why did the Framers feel strongly about freedom of religion?
  • Why have religious difference been central to conflicts and war throughout history?
  • What religious practices are protected by the Constitution?
  • Are any not protected? Explain
  • How did American attitudes about Muslims and Islam change after 9/11? Has time altered those attitudes? Explain.
  • What is "homegrown terrorism"?
  • When it comes to the proposed Islamic cultural center and mosque near Ground Zero, what should take precedence: the First Amendment rights or the sensitiveness of those who feel the mosque would be an affront to the people who died in the 9/12 terrorist attacks?

topics.nytimes.com/park51


Tuesday, September 21, 2010


Read the Political Cartoon PDF and answer the questions next to the pictures.


Find a modern cartoon and analyze it using the worksheet below!


When finished share with the whole class,what you found and what you think.



Monday, September 27, 2010 - Thursday, September 30, 2010

(We are framing out the levels of our house, building to bigger more collective desicions)

What are the three main branches of the government, what do they mean to you. An article in the Constitution gives power to the states, which one is it? Because of this article this system of structure is used in tiers. National, State and Local are the three we will focus on. Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches exists in our National, State and Local governing systems.

Your job is to name the jobs and people that serve as leaders in our Nation at a variety of levels. Give a brief yet specific description about the positions, these leaders hold. As you collect this information keep track of your resources, you just might need it in the near future.


Example: Name each, job, and the current person holding that position, with a brief, yet specific description of their job.

National Level Executive
  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Cabinet: 15 advisers

National Level Legislative - Who are the leaders of each group?
Talk about the representatives from Colorado and how many total are apart of that group.
What is their primary job?
  1. Senate
  2. House


National Level Judical
  1. Name the 12 Judiciaries and talk about their roles


State Level Executive:
State Level Legislative
State Level Judicial

Local Level Executive
Local Level Legislative
Local Level Judicial